Your Guide to Home Nasogastric Feeding
Introduction
Preparation
Procedure
Risks and Complications
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Feeding time
video demonstration of nasogastric tube feeding
1. Prepare necessary equipment. a. micropore b. gloves c. jug d. 60cc syringe e. pH indicator paper f. spigot g. measuring tape h. gallipot i. enteral formula j. hand rub
2. Perform hand hygiene by using the 7-steps techniques.
3. Explain procedure to patient.
4. Sit up the patient or elevate him/her to an angle of at least 30 degrees during and after feeding for at least one hour.
5. Pinch proximal end of the feeding tube and remove the cover.
6. Place the syringe together with the plunger to end of the tube. Release the pinched tube.
7. Extract 5-10 ml of gastric content and test the acidity of it by using pH indicator paper. (The pH value of the gastric should range lesser than 5.) (Re-position patient if there is no gastric content.)
8. Note the amount, color and appearance of the gastric content.
9. Pinch proximal end of the feeding tube and remove the syringe. Put back the cover.
10. Remove the plunger of the syringe.
11. Pinch proximal end of the feeding tube and remove the cover.
12. Place the syringe without the plunger to end of the tube. Keeping pinching the proximal end of the tube.
13. Fill the syringe with 20-30ml of water for flushing purpose. Release the pinched tube.
14. Fill the syringe with enteral formula and then release the pinched tube. (Adjust height of syringe to control rate of flow of approximately 1ml per second.)
15. Observe patient tolerance during feeding. If patient has any discomfort, coughing or vomiting, stop feeding immediately.
16. Refill the syringe before all of the formula in the syringe has run out.
17. Pinch the proximal end of the tube when feeding is completed.
18. Fill the syringe with 20-30ml of water for flushing purpose. Release the pinched tube.
19. Pinch the proximal end of the tube after all of water in the syringe have delivered to patient.
20. Apply spigot or place cover to the feeding tube and secure it appropriately.
21. Leave patient in the same position for at least one hour after feed.